Last summer, my brother convinced me to train for the Richmond Marathon. As I was preparing for it, I ran a couple of half-marathons. I had an idea to get people I knew to sponsor me per mile for one of the 13.1 mile runs.
I was able to raise about $100 per mile, which I gave to UMCOR's work with refugees.
All in all, I was able to get in shape, have a lot of fun, and help people in need. If you are looking for motivation to start an excercise program, this could be it.
Runners' World has a feature at their site that allows you to find races in your area. You can start with short races like a 5k (3.1 miles) and walk it if you want. Races are fun, social events for all ages, and you get a t-shirt!
